Please join us on zoom or in person for this week's hybrid Polar Hour with Dr. Karley Campbell (UiT The Arctic University of Norway).
Inhale. Exhale. Studying sea ice as a living & breathing system
Abstract: Global warming is transforming Arctic sea ice, impacting the communities of specialised microorganisms like algae and bacteria that live within it. Sea ice microorganisms are vital members of the marine ecosystem. They generate and recycle organic carbon, and influence the biogeochemical cycling of elements. Through photosynthesis ice algae influence the fixation and potential removal of the climate relevant gas CO2 from the ocean and atmosphere and, consequently, the generation and release of O2. Photosynthesis is an especially dominant process in the spring when environmental conditions are most favourable for algal growth. Traditionally researchers have therefore assumed this season is net autotrophic (i.e. overall uptake of CO2 and release of O2 by the ice). Why then are recent studies showing signals of net heterotrophy during the ice algal spring bloom? What factors determine whether sea ice microbial communities are effectively inhaling or exhaling CO2/O2? We will investigate these questions and see how the BREATHE project at UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working to improve our understanding of sea ice biogeochemistry.
All welcome to join, listen, discuss, and build community!